Monday Mystery #12: Guess correctly, win a book

It’s been awhile since I’ve given away some books on the blog. Too long.

You know how this works. I pull a photo out of our archive and remove the mystery person in the photo. Guess correctly and you’ll get a free book!

You’ll notice that two people are blacked out in this photo. Actually you only need to guess the person on the left. I blacked out the person on the right because this person might tip some folks off as to the identity of the person on the left.

The first person to guess correctly will receive The Paper Republic by James P. Bevill (352 pages, Bright Sky Press). Brilliantly researched, this book provides a look at Houston and Texas history from a financial perspective.

The second person to guess correctly will receive a copy of Why Stop? A guide to Texas Historical Roadside Markers by Betty Dooley Awbrey and Claude Dooley (565 pages, Lone Star Books). Hey, if you’re going on the road this summer you’ll need this guide to learn a little more about Texas history. No need to pull over to read every marker, just consult this book.

The third person to guess correctly will receive three books: A.C. Pickett’s Private Journal of the U.S.-Mexican War, edited by Jo Blatti (145 pages, Butler Center Books); Gunman from Rawhide by Todhunter Ballard (210 pages, Five Star Publishing); and Death of a Cattle King by Wayne D. Overholser (188 pages, Five Star Publishing).

As a bonus, the first person to guess the person on the right correctly will get a surprise book. It’s a longshot, I know, but I’m in a giving mood.

I’ll provide one clue to solving this mystery, but to see it, you have to check out Bayou City History on Facebook . I’ll post a clue on there sometime today (Monday). While you’re there, show some love by “liking” the page.

Now, the rules:

You’re welcome to guess more than once, but one guess per post! Even if the name is correct, if the post contains multiple guesses, the post will be disqualified.

Check back on Wednesday when I’ll reveal the mystery person and the winner…or provide some more clues.

Relatives of mine, board members of Houston Arts and Media and current and former Houston Chronicle employees are not eligible.